House Passes Farm Bill Version

Just before Congress and President Bush starting waging war on terrorism, the House of Representatives approved the Food Security Act of 2001, rejecting an amendment to remove 40% of farmers' safety net funding.

Rejection of the amendment underscores the broad base of support for the Farm Bill's provisions, including an 80% increase in conservation funds, according to the House of Representatives.

The Senate, in the meantime, is still scheduling Farm Bill hearings while Ag Secretary Ann Veneman lambastes the House version:

“The concern with H.R. 2646 is that it does not … help farmers most in need, encourages overproduction while prices are low, jeopardizes U.S. markets abroad, which would hurt our producers, and boosts federal spending by $70 billion over the next ten years at a time of budget uncertainty.”